The little kitchen kings

Times are changing, so are the hobbies of today’s children. Instead of the usual dance, music and art classes, parents are getting their little ones admitted to cooking classes. Children as young as six years learn to toast their bread, put butter on it or make their own mug of Horlicks.

When Anisha Sharma decided to enroll her eight-year-old son for cookery class, she had to face objections from her parents. “They thought Arnav was too young to learn cooking. But I insisted, and today they are happy to see him make his own Maggi,” she says.

Thanks to the busy lifestyle, parents today want to make their children independent so that, when needed, they are able to feed themselves. Says Poornima Pai, who takes cooking classes for both adults and children in RT Nagar: “Earlier, children learnt cooking only during summer vacations. But now, I see children as young as six coming for my cooking classes on a regular basis. I teach them how to apply jam on their toast, identify different masalas, make Bournvita or Horlicks, and so on.”

“They are too young to learn how to make cakes and all. All I teach them is the basic stuff so that they develop an interest towards food,” she adds.

In fact, for many parents this is the perfect way to tackle the fussy food habit of their children. “My nine-year-old son, Prateek, was an extremely fussy eater. The sight of food was enough to make him cry. That is when my friend suggested me to enroll him in a cooking class,” says Ipsita Banerjee, who was initially skeptical of the idea.

“It has been a month since he joined these classes. Seeing other kids of his age experiment with food, Prateek has developed an interest towards it. Hopefully things will get better,” she says.

Seema’s Cooking classes on Bannerghatta Road has also seen an increase in the number of children enrolling. “I guess post the Master Chef programme, knowing how to cook has become the ‘in thing’. To be honest, I never thought kids as young as eight or nine would be interested in cooking. But I guess, times have changed,” says Seema.

So, do not be surprised if you are served an angry bird sandwich the next time you visit your friends place.

The new breed of lil chefs
Enrolling children to cooking classes has emerged as the latest fad among working parents.

Cooking classes in the city see children as young as six-years-old joining them.

They are taught to make basic food items like toasts, sandwiches, Maggi, Horlicks et al.

Enrolling children to cooking classes help them become independent, say parents.

Children too seem to be enjoying the opportunity to make their own sandwiches and milkshakes.